green OUTLOOK

As the first medical facility in this country to achieve a Green Star Custom Tool rating and only the third such building in Australasia, Forte Health has a wide range of sustainable attributes.

Powell Fenwick Consultants provided the mechanical and hydraulic engineering services for Forte Health, says company director Sam Seatter.

"We also specialise in integrating complex building services with environmentally sustainable design. For Forte Health, Powell Fenwick was both the Green Star Accredited Professional (GSAP) and ESD champion on the project.

"This involved co-ordinating sustainable design elements and mechanical and hydraulic services across the base building and various fit-outs involving separate architects, project managers, contractors and design consultants," Seatter says.

Energy-efficiency measures in Forte Health were modelled to reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions by a third, compared to a typical hospital, says senior engineer and GSAP Scott Waller.

Some of the key ESD elements implemented by Powell Fenwick include a solar domestic hot water system; high efficiency heat pumps and chiller for the building's heating and cooling; and ventilation heat recovery for fresh air supplies.

"An advanced building management system monitors and trends energy use, and integrates with the smart lighting and occupancy system to control parts of the HVAC system," Waller says.

Other green factors include the use of chilled water to cool medical sterilising equipment to reduce potable water wastage and smaller air conditioning zones with full occupant control.

For details, contact Powell Fenwick Consultants, phone +64 3 366 1777. Website: www.pfc.co.nz

Story by: Trendsideas